(Hopefully this counts as a 'Movies, Music & TV' thread, as it is about an actor).

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I'm a fan of Zac Efron. He may have become famous due to trash like High School Musical, but with Me & Orson Welles matured and his talent shone through. He was terrific in that near-masterpiece of a movie (not as good as Christian McKay, however) and despite my hate for HSM, it made me a fan of the actor. And in response to anyone who thinks he's just a worthless pretty boy: I may have agreed with you in the past, but Me & Orson Welles proved he's more than eye candy; secondly, he's no longer a boy (have you seen his biceps? Physically, he is 110% man). He has unequivocally matured into a capable and excellent performer.

In the past, including here, I certainly criticized him. Looking back on it though, I think the thing that bugged me the most wasn't so much the man himself (I've never met him in person so I can't really judge him like that), but the product the media turned him into. He wasn't treated so much as an actor with skill, but more like a plastic toy that was deprived of personality and talent in order to be the most desirable thing to girls his age. Coupled with the lack of good movies and not being attracted to him for being too girly looking (again more the result of too much makeup, airbrushing and highlights on the part of marketing tools) and you can see why I think he didn't live up to the hype. Justin Bieber is the same thing now, except with even poorer talents and an even younger (looks like he's ten), more feminine appearance.

He was however good in Hairspray, but at the time the movie was treated like another accessory to the HSM craze and it was the only thing I could think of that he was good in, so it didn’t help too much.

Now thankfully that craze is finally over and he’s trying to be more than just a one-dimensional poster-boy. Me and Orson Wells was great and gave him something to do besides singing and dancing. Seeing him do a thriller type movie is also encouraging as is the sight of him getting better looking with age (and muscle mass). Hopefully he can develop into an actor that others can grow to like thanks to improving ability and worthwhile project choices. Charlie St. Cloud and New Years Eve, may not help though.

Edit: Another thing that bugged me regarding him in the past was the guessing game surrounding his orientation. It seemed to me to stem from the "pretty musical boy" image and came across as a lazy reinforcement of a stereotype and just made me dislike the way the Hollywood media/fans treated the "issue" that much more. I did however like Zac's reaction that was something along the lines of "if that's the worst thing they can make up about me, I'm fine with that".*

* I don't know if that's exactly how he said it, but I think it was something along those lines.

The first movie I ever saw Zac in was Miracle Run, a TV movie my mom was watching on Lifetime (nobody say anything) and it introduced me to autism. I can’t remember if the movie was any good but Zac certainly left an impression on me. This considering my reaction to seeing the first printed ad for High School Musical in a magazine was: “Oh shit, it’s that autistic kid. I wonder how Disney will handle his spaz attacks on set?” I have to think my initial dislike for him was really with the image the media was giving him and not with the man himself (as Flanger-Hanger suggested), since I’ve never seen any of the High School Musicals and I don’t associate him with them. The only other movies I’ve seen him in were Hairspray and 17 Again. While I enjoyed him in both, I’m not sure he’s done that certain ‘unforgettable role’ just yet that will make me a fan.

The first movie I ever saw Zac in was Miracle Run, a TV movie my mom was watching on Lifetime (nobody say anything) and it introduced me to autism.

That's recently got on my 'Movies I want to see' list due to both Efron and also the subject matter.

jpanimation wrote:

While I enjoyed him in both, I’m not sure he’s done that certain ‘unforgettable role’ just yet that will make me a fan.

You should definitely see him in Me and Orson Welles; he's truly terrific, and he's not even the best part (the wonderful Christian McKay is, seemingly channelling the very spirit of the titular Welles).

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum